Speaker cabinet



E. P. KENNEDY SPEAKER CABINET Dec. 4, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 1, 1946 INVENTOR. flaw am! f e/med' BY 5%; //z3 Aim/way,

Dec. 4, 1951 E. P. KENNEDY 2,577,528

SPEAKER CABINET Filed May 1, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

BY N3 flags firm/way- E. F. KENNEDY SPEAKER CABINET Dec. 4, 1951 Filed May 1, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 55 INVENTOR. 520mm! FAQ/Mag; BY g Patented Dec. 4, 1951 SPEAKER CABINET Edward P. Kennedy, Berwyn, IlL, assignor, by mesne assignments, to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army Application May 1, 1946, Serial N 0. 666,285

8 Claims.

This invention relates to speaker cabinets. More particularly the invention relates to a telescoping peridynamic speaker and has for its principal. object the provision of a cabinet substantially portable in character and constructed of telescopically arranged sections whereby the interior thereof may be substantially increased when the cabinet sections are in an extended position whereby to obtain the maximum degree of fidelity and naturalness of sound.

Still a further object of the invention is the provision of a speaker cabinet constructed so as to have a. minimum weight and yet be substantially rigid whereby to prevent rattling or vibrating of the parts thereof.

Another object of the invention is the provision for releasably latching the sections in distended and telescoped position With respect to each other and for releasably, rigidly binding the telescoping sections together. The importance of this object will be fully appreciated from the fact that in portable speaker cabinets it is desirable that the cabinet have a minimum of weight whereby to afford easy transportation or carrying, with the result that in order to accomplish this, the cabinet is usually formed of relatively thin material, and if no means is provided for maintaining the cabinet in a state of rigidity there will result vibration or rattling, with the result that the sound is distorted, much to the displeasure of the listeners.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by ref erence to the accompanying drawings showing the preferred form of construction, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the invention showing the same in a distended position;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary inside elevational view of a door showing the latch therefor;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary cross sectional detail view of the invention;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view of the guide employed in the invention;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detail view of a latch construction embodied in the invention;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a latch structure embodied in the invention;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the latch structure shown in Fig. 7, but illustrating the partsthereof in different positions with respect to each other;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional detail view taken substantially on line 99 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary detail view taken substantially on line Ill-10 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a horizontal sectional detail view of the invention taken substantially on line ||-I I of Fig. 12;

Fig. 12 is a sectional detail view taken substantially on line l2-l2 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary sectional detail view taken substantially on line l3-l3 of Fig. 4.

ihe several objects of my invention are accomplished by the preferred form of construction shown in the accompanying drawings.

In this connection, my improved speaker is indicated at 58. It includes a cabinet H having a top section !2 and a bottom section l3. The bottom section I3 is provided in its front wall 14 with an opening l5, and this opening I5 is closed by a suitable grille 16.

The upper section 12 includes a depending skirt I? which telescopically fits into the lower section 13. The peripheral edge [8 of this skirting l! is reinforced by a framework IS, the corners of which are provided with openings 29 and adapted to slidably project through these openings are guide rods 2| secured as at 22 to the bottom wall 23 of the section [3 and having threaded on their upper end portions nuts 24 which limit the relative movement of the sections !2 and 13 relative to each other into distended position. The crossbar I9 of this framework may be removed in order to facilitate servicing' the interior of the cabinet or for the purpose of mounting the speaker unit therein.

; opposite end of the latch spring 2'! is provided with 'a loop 29, and connected to this loop 29 is a pull cord 30 which extends through an eyelet 3| and thence upwardly to the top wall 32 of the section [2 through an eyelet 33. From this eyelet 33 the pull cord 30 extends through an eyelet 3t to a position of connection as at 35 with a plunger 35. This plunger 36 is supported in the socket 3? of an escutch'eon plate 38 secured to the top wall 32 of the section l2. The upper or exterior end portion of this plunger 3'? is provided with a thumb knob 39 which facilitates moving the plunger 36 downwardly against the action of a spring 39 of any approved construc" tion, which construction serves to return the plunger 36 and the pull cords 38 to theirnormal 3 position. The top section I2 is provided with a suitable handle 40.

The arrangement is such that when the sections I2 and I3 are moved to an extended position, the latch springs 27, will by reason of their flexibility, engage into the undercuts 25 when the sections I2 and I3 reach the extreme of their telescopic position with respect to each other. These latch springs 21 will hold the sections I2 and I3 in their extended position until the sec-v tions are latched in such position by latch mechanisms to be hereinafter described.

When the sections I2 and I3 are to be moved from extended position or in a collapsed position with respect to each other as shown in Fig. l, the operator in grasping the handle 40 will extend his thumb or finger beneath the handle 43 so as to bear the same upon the thumb button 39. In this position of the thumb or finger, the plunger 36 will be pivoted downwardly and exert a pull upon the pull cords 30, pivoting the latch springs 21 in a direction to disengage them from the undercut 25, thereby to release the section I2 for movement down upon the section I3.

To latch the sections in collapsed position with respect to each other or in an extended position, I provide a suitable latching mechanism which will now be described. This mechanism comprises a base plate M which is adapted to be attached by suitable screws 42 to the section I3. In the present instance, on opposite side walls I4 of the section I3, I have provided two of such latch mechanisms and on each of the end walls I have provided one of such mechanisms. It may be understood that any number of such latch mechanisms may be employed. Each of these latch mechanisms, in addition to including the base plate 4|, includes a yoke 43, the medial portion 44 of which is provided with a tongue 45. This yoke 43 has its arms pivotally connected to an eccentric finger piece 46, whereby when the finger piece 45 is pivoted in a downward position against the plate 4|, the yoke 43 will likewise bemoved downwardly for reasons to be hereinafter explained. When this piece 46 is pivoted upwardly as shown in Fig. 8, the yoke 43 will likewise move upwardly.

A keeper head 41 is provided, and this keeper head 41 has a mounting plate 40 adapted to be attached by suitable screws 49 to the section I2. This head. provides a slot 55 into which the tongue or extension 45 is adapted to be projected when the yoke 43 is in latched position and to be disengaged therefrom when the yoke 43 is in an unlatched position. The foregoing arrangement provides a suitable latching mechanism for releasably latching the sections I2 and I3 in their collapsed position with respect to each other as shown in Fig. 1. This latching mechanism is also utilized for rigidly latching the sections I2 and I3 together when in distended position, and this is accomplished by the following mechanism:

In each of the side walls and end walls of the section I2, there is provided a suitable recess I at the base of which is arranged a transversely extending pin 52, and pivotally associated with this pin 52 is a U-shaped binder clip 53 preferably formed of resilient material or the like and formed substantially U-shaped to provide arms 54 and 55 between which is arranged a resilient spacer 56 formed of suitable material such as rubber or the like. The arm 54 is provided with an opening 51 which is adapted to receive the tongue 45 when the parts are arranged in the position shown in Fig. 9.

When the sections I2 and I3 are in extended position, they will be initially latched in this extended position by the latch springs 21 in order to free the operators hands and to give him time to adjust the yoke 43 with respect to the binder clip 53. When the sections I2 and I3 are in extended position and latched in such position by the springs 21, the next step is for the operator to rigidly latch the sections I2 and I3 together. This is accomplished by pivoting the binder clip 53 so as to dispose the arm upon the top edge 56 of the walls of the section I3. The finger piece 46 is then pivoted to dispose the yoke 43 above the arm 54 with the tongue 45'thereof in a position to pass into the opening 5?. By pivoting the finger piece 46 in an opposite direction, the yoke 43 will bear down upon the arm 55 and by reason of the eccentric connection between the yoke 43 and the finger piece 46, the arm 55 will not only be borne upon the top edge 56 of the walls of the section IE but the side walls of the section I2 will also be drawn up" against the side walls of the section I3, with the result that the side walls of the sections I2 and I3 are thereby rigidly connected together, preventing any rattling or vibration of these walls during the operation of the speaker.

The skirting I1 is provided with an opening 58 in its front walls and this opening is closed by a grille plate 59 similar to the grille plate I6. Arranged in the upper section I2 in any suitable manner is a speaker unit 60 to which is connected in any suitable manner the usual speaker cord,

and this speaker cord is passed into the cabinet 10 through a suitable opening BI formed in a door 62 arranged in the rear wall of the section I2.

This door 62 is normally latched in door closing position by means of a suitable latching mechanism 63 shown in Fig. 3. This latching mechanism may be of any approved construction which in the present instance comprisesv a hand-rotatable disc 64 to which is operatively connected latch arms 65 adapted when the disc 64 is rotated by any suitable hand mechanism, to project intov notches 66 formed in the rear wall of the section I2 whereby to releasably latch the door 62 in any desired position.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it is apparent that I provide a speaker cabinet which may be constructed of relatively thin material and yet have substantial utility, one which may be moved from a. collapsed position to an extended position to increase the interior thereof; a speaker cabinet which will assure a high degree of fidelity and the maximum of natural sound reproduction.

The speaker cabinet, as constructed in accordance with the description herein, may be easily and expeditiously adjusted in extended position without undue efiort upon the part of the operator. When it is in collapsed position it may be utilized to occupy the minimum of space when not in use.

In the construction of my improved speaker cabinet, it is manifest that the exterior walls may be covered by an ornamental or decorative covering and that suitable feet may be associated with the lower section I3.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my in-" vention into effect, this is capable of variation and modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

l. A speaker unit comprising a cabinet including two sections arranged in partial telescopic relation with respect to each other with each of the sections being provided with an opening, a grille to the rear of each of said openings, a speaker element within one of said sections to the rear of the grille thereof, means automatic in its operation for releasably latching said sections in distended position with respect to each other, and other means for releasably latching said sections together and for rigidly holding the adjacent walls of said sections together.

2. A speaker unit comprising a cabinet including two sections arranged in partial telescopic relation with respect to each other with each of the sections being provided with an opening, a grille to the rear of each of said openings, a speaker element Within one of said sections to the rear of the grille thereof, means for releasably latching said sections in distended position with respect to each other, and other means for releasably latching adjacent walls of said sections together to increase the rigidity of said walls.

3. A speaker unit comprising a cabinet including two sections arranged in partial telescopic relation with respect to each other with each of the sections being provided with an opening, a grille to the rear of each of said openings, a speaker element within one of said sections to the rear of the grille thereof, spring means for releasably latching said sections in distended position with respect to each other, other means for releasably latching adjacent walls of said sections together to increase the rigidity of said walls, and a thumb button for operating said spring means to move said spring means into unlatched position to permit said sections to collapse after said other latch means is moved from latched relation with respect to said wall sections,

4. A speaker cabinet comprising two sections, a skirt on one of said sections adapted to have telescopical relation with respect to the other section, a frame reinforcing said skirt, spring latch means for releasably latching said sections in a distended position with respect to each other, other means for rigidly latching the walls of said sections together and for cooperating with said spring latch means to support said sections in distended position with respect to each other.

5. A speaker cabinet comprising two sections, a skirt on one of said sections adapted to have telescopical relation with respect to the other section, a frame reinforcing said skirt, spring latch means for releasably latching said sections in a distended position with respect to each other, other means for rigidly latching the walls of said sections together and for cooperating with said spring latch means to support said sections in distended position with respect to each other, and a thumb button carried by one of said sections and having operative connection with said spring latch means for moving said spring latch means from latched position.

6. A speaker cabinet comprising two sections, a skirting on one of said sections and adapted to have telescopical relation with respect to the other section, said skirting and a wall of said other section having an opening formed therein, a grille to the rear of each of said openings, a speaker unit to the rear of the grille of one of said openings, guide rods carried by said other section and operatively related with the firstnamed section for guiding said skirting into and from telescopic relation with respect to said other section, and means for latching said sections in distended position, said means also serving to latch said sections in collapsed position.

7. A speaker cabinet comprising two sections, a skirting on one of said sections and adapted to have telescopical relation with respect to the other section, said skirting and a wall of said other section having an opening formed therein, a grille to the rear of each of said openings, a speaker unit to the rear of the grille of one of said openings, guide rods carried by said other section and operatively related with the firstnamed section for guiding said skirting into and from telescopic relation with respect to said other section, spring means cooperating with said guide rods for releasably latching said sections in distended position with respect to each other, and latch means for rigidly latching adjacent walls of said sections together, and means for moving said spring means from and to latched position with respect to said guide rods.

8. A speaker cabinet comprising two sections, a skirting on one of said sections and adapted to have telescopic relation with respect to the other section, corresponding walls of said skirting and the other section having an opening formed therein, a grille plate to the rear of each of said openings, a speaker unit within said one section to the rear of the grille plate of the opening thereof, latch means for releasably latching said sections in distended position with respect to each other, means for guiding said sections from and to distended position with respect to each other, and latch means for rigidly connecting the adjacent walls of said sections together.

EDWARD P. KENNEDY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date D. 132,849 A June 23, 1942 1,208,005 Reed Dec. 12, 1916 1,241,210 Harvey Sept. 25, 1917 1,275,762 Safiford Aug. 13, 1918 

